Egypt premier defends steep rise in energy prices

Associated PressPublished: July 6, 2014 4:00AM

CAIRO -- Egypt's prime minister on Saturday defended a steep rise in fuel prices as necessary move to shore up the treasury, as outraged commuters bickered with public transport drivers over fare hikes and some rushed to gas stations over fears of shortages.

The price increases of up to 80 percent came into force early on Saturday in a swift announcement made just hours earlier, following promises to cut subsidies that eat up nearly a quarter of the state budget. They also come after an increase in electricity prices that were put in effect at the start of July.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, addressing a televised news conference, said energy subsidies have over the past decade cost the treasury a staggering 687 billion pounds (nearly $100 billion) that could have been used to bolster essential services. He said it would be a "crime" if his government did not move to start lifting subsidies.

He argued that 26.3 percent of Egypt's estimated 86 million people live in poverty and that overall unemployment stands at 13.6 percent.

, reaching above 50 percent for Egyptians aged between 20 and 30.

"There will have to be political, social and economic reforms," vowed Mahlab. "Debts are mounting and the question we must ask ourselves is whether we want to leave this legacy for future generations."

Newly elected President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has said he would need to tackle the tough issue of subsidies and asked every Egyptian to be ready to sacrifice to help the country's battered economy after three years of turmoil.

The former military chief also asked the government to amend the largest budget in Egypt's history - at $115 billion - to reduce its deficit from 12 to 10 percent.

The fuel price rise was highest for 80 octane gasoline, used mostly by old vehicles that still fill Egyptian streets, with the price jumping 78 percent to 22 cents per liter. Diesel fuel, used by most of Egypt's public transport and trucks, increased 64 percent to 25 cents a liter. Gasoline that is 92 octane increased by 40 percent to 37 cents a liter.

In some areas, the decision spurred a rush on gas stations, with long lines forming and many motorists frustrated.

Some drivers of Egypt's popular microbuses had raised their fares before the government announced exact increases. Mahlab warned that authorities would intervene to make sure fare increases are limited to around 10 percent. Taxi meters will also be changed to allow for higher fares, he added.

In the Canal city of Suez, microbus and taxi drivers refused to take on passengers until the government announces a detailed new fare structure. Some employees had to walk to work. Drivers have forced other public transportation vehicles to stop working until the fares are increased.

On line Saturday at one Cairo gas station, taxi driver and father of five Ebeid Ibrahim directed his frustration at the president. "When el-Sissi came to office he said he did not have a magical wand to make people's lives better. We do not want anything form anybody, but at least the status quo should have been left as it is. Where am I supposed to get money from?" said the 56-year-old Ibrahim.

Near him, Abdullah Ibrahim, 36 and father of three, stood in line to fill up his microbus, decrying the sharp rise.

"We will raise the prices on the passengers who are in need just like us," he said. "If they ask us to bear extreme measures, they have to be reasonable, the rise will specifically affect the poor."

In a separate development, judicial officials said a Cairo court on Saturday upheld death sentences against 10 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood and sentenced 37 others to life, including the spiritual leader of the Islamist group. All 10 Brotherhood members whose death sentences were confirmed were tried in absentia, meaning there will be a retrial if they are arrested or turn themselves in.

Prosecutors had charged the defendants with rioting, murder, attempted murder, attacking security forces and blocking a main road north of Cairo last year, a statement from the prosecutor's office said.

Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

The verdicts are part of an ongoing crackdown against Islamists that began after the military, then led by el-Sissi, ousted President Mohammed Morsi last year.

Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood, along with the group's spiritual leader Mohammed Badie and most of its leadership are in detention and face multiple trials.